MACCEM Industries (SL) Ltd Enslave Black Workers

By Badaraski

ALARMING Deployable Labour CONDITIONS at MACCEM INDUSTRIES (SL) Ltd, Rogbanba Junction:

A CALL FOR URGENT GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION

MACCEM Industries (SL) Ltd, located at Rogbanba Junction, has come under serious scrutiny following disturbing findings concerning the treatment of its workers. According to information gathered by this Press, management of the company is failing to uphold basic labour standards and human dignity in its operations.

It is captured that Workers at MACCEM are reportedly subjected to extremely poor working conditions. Despite handling hazardous materials such as cement and iron rods daily, the company provides no protective gear or safety equipment. This blatant neglect of safety not only endangers lives but also violates fundamental labour and occupational health regulations.

Furthermore, it is alleged that the welfare of workers appeared to be of little concern to the management. Employees are forced to endure long working hours for meager or small wages that do not reflect the effort or risk involved in their jobs. To make matters worse, the company is providing them with substandard milk—raising further concerns about the health and nutritional well-being of the workforce.

One of the most troubling aspects of MACCEM’s labour practices is its high reliance on casual workers. Reports indicate that over 60% of the employees are casuals with no job security, benefits, or protection under labour laws. In stark contrast, foreign nationals, particularly Lebanese employees working under the same company, enjoy significantly better working conditions, fair compensation, and full employment benefits—with not a single one classified as a casual worker.

This disparity raises serious questions about employee discrimination, exploitation, and the undermining of national labour standards. A company operating within the borders of a sovereign state should not be allowed to prioritize the welfare of foreign nationals over that of local citizens.

Such practices are not only endangering the health and livelihoods of Sierra leonean workers but also directly contradicting the vision and agenda of the President and the government, which seek to promote decent employment and equitable economic growth. By perpetuating exploitative labour practices, MACCEM Industries are undermining national economic progress and social stability.

This press is urgently calling on the Ministry of Labour and the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIST), along with all relevant authorities, to launch a thorough investigation into the ill practices at MACCEM Industries. Appropriate sanctions should be imposed where necessary, and corrective measures should be taken to ensure that all workers—regardless of nationality—are treated with fairness, respect, and in accordance with the law.

The government should act now to uphold justice, protect its citizens, and send a strong message that labour exploitation will not be tolerated in the country.

However, on the 17th April 2025, at their headquarters, on Wilberforce street, the management of MACCEM INDUSTRIES Ltd, was given the right to respond to the aforementioned issues, through Manager Hussein. He affirmed that there is a 50/50 % chance of the allegations tendered to be true or false, as there is no perfection in humanity. Hussein promised to engage the Human Resource Manager and revert to this Media House in the evening of the 17th April 2025. According to him, the allegations need verifications with the HRM before making final statement. Unfortunately, he did not reach out to this Media practitioner again until the moment of going to Press. Further reasonable efforts were made in order to get his final statement on the aforesaid issues, but he decided to treat this Media House with intent.